PIR to sponsor local driver Michael McDowell at The Profit on CNBC 500

Phoenix International Raceway will team with local driver Michael McDowell to kick off the race track’s 50th anniversary in true NASCAR style with a sponsorship of McDowell’s car, PIR President Bryan R. Sperber announced today.

PIR’s 50th anniversary logo will adorn McDowell’s No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Ford Fusion during The Profit on CNBC 500 Presented by Small Business Fueling America NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, March 2.

“Growing up in Phoenix, PIR has always held a special place in my heart,” McDowell said. “To be able to play a role in celebrating the track’s 50th anniversary is a tremendous honor and is something I’ll always remember.”

The logo will be prominently featured on the left and right rear quarter panels of the car, providing tremendous visibility.

“We are thrilled to be able to support Michael McDowell this year and tie in our 50th anniversary,” Sperber said. “Having grown up here in the Valley, Michael and his family know how important PIR is to our community. To be able to support his NASCAR Sprint Cup campaign during our golden anniversary season is very exciting for us.”

McDowell, a Glendale native, is in his first year with Concord, N.C.-based Leavine Family Racing and his seventh year of full-time competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team introduced McDowell as its driver for the 2014 season on Oct. 28, 2013.

McDowell qualified 41st for this Sunday’s 56th running of the Daytona 500. He finished ninth in last year’s running of The Great American Race. He got his start in racing at go-karts in the Phoenix area at age eight, and his family remains in the Phoenix area.

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